@ Jeff Buckley Mary Ford was a great guitarist as well as a singer. You need to do a little research before showing how little you know about a subject. This is the equivalent of talking about Lindsey Buckingham and saying who cares about Stevie Nicks.
Fil, I was fortunate enough to see, and hear, Les at Fat Tuesdays in Manhattan several years ago. It was a small place and I was up front. I was just amazed how he would just look at you and smile while running those frets. When the show was over he sat at the bar having a drink and I was able to speak to him and get an autograph. Of course I grew up with my mom playing Les & Mary a lot so I knew of him early. Thanks for the great clip. There is a great video called Les Paul, He Changed The Music for those interested
Yes, another great iconic player. The original shredder himself! I was honored to catch him live at the Iridium club in NYC when he was a ripe young age of 91, and still getting up there once a week to entertain us. He could still play circles around me even at that age. It was a real treat to watch and a great memory.
Mary Ford, wife of Les Paul, is buried at Forest Lawn Covina Hills, Covina. She is interred just north toward the mountains, a few steps from the Chapel there, easy to find, if you want to. God rest her soul.
He also developed many recording techniques. The way he overdubbed and layered Mary Ford's vocals was truly innovative for it's time (How High the Moon) She was a great picker as well.
Les invented multi-track recording, echo, delay, reverb, all these things that the music industry depended on later. And because of that, some people have called him the Thomas Edison of music.
Les was peerless. You just need to see the series of videos showing other brilliant guitarists performing with him. It didn't matter who it was, they all had huge cheesy grins as they jammed with Les. I loved the way Geoff Beck described how hard it was to perfect the Les Paul arrangements he played at the Ronnie Scott's gig. I have a heap of Les's tracks on my in car mp3 system - hours of joy helping pass a boring drive.
Fil, as I make my way through your videos I find one gem after another. I am old enough to have been around while Les and Mary were performing (although you never got a chance to see them live on television). I read about Les in magazines and heard his playing on 33’s...I never found a Les Paul and Mary Ford 45). But, back then we had no idea what a pioneer he was. In fact, I wasn’t really into him. Of course, now he is a legend, and your selection of the video where he was showing his latest invention adds to why Les just might be the most influential man of all time in the evolution of rock, and metal, which are guitar genres. The greater the guitarist the greater the band, so to speak...the Beatles being an exception. (The greatest rock band of all time did not have the greatest guitarists of all time...sort of kills my point, I guess. Sorry.) “Rock!”
The Thomas Edison of electric guitar!!! Lester Polsfuss is a massive legend of music and guitar, along with inventing multi-track recording, looping. etc. You can really hear the Django influence in his playing on this clip. The one fast double stop lick he does at certain points is something I stole from Danny Gatton, not knowing that Danny stole it from Les Paul. What an amazing guitarist!
Thomas Edison? Thomas Edison was more like a thief a scammer and a fraud! He stole most of "his" inventions from his employees, colleagues and most notably the REAL genius Nikola Tesla! And this is all very well known.
Fil, I used to time my business trips to NYC so I could hit the Iridium Club where Les played every Monday night. He was in his late 80’s early 90’s (?) and was as brilliant a quipster and raconteur as he was a guitar maestro. And whomever was in town, he’d invite them on stage t play. I got to see Keith Richards play a set, and he had to borrow a guitar. Wow! Brilliant all around!
Wow...! I was waiting for the smoke to come off his fingers!!! Bloody awesome!!! One man band!!! Musical legend in many ways!!!! Great vid as always Fil!!!!!
The work Les and Mary did with their sound on sound recordings was legendary. It is tough to fathom the amount of effort it took to create a 15 track sound on sound recording.
I can’t believe that three people gave this a thumbs down! They’re probably upset because they didn’t see any faces literally melt. Fil, excellent choice, excellent commentary, I couldn’t agree with you more.
I listened to him at least 40+ years ago. There are many great guitarists out there, but Les Paul is the master. his wife Mary For used play guitar with him. I'm glad that so many people appreciate him. Thanks Fil.
I knew Les well in the last 25 years of his life and heard him play hundreds of times at Fat Tuesdays and Iridium. He never stopped his obsession with getting the optimal sound. He also kept playing and working on his technique, despite significant physical limitations, which included not only the injury to his right arm but severe arthritis in his hands. He would be the last to say that playing guitar is easy. And BTW, the guitarist I heard him speak of with the most awe and respect was Thumbs Carlille.
Ha, The Paulverizer!! The inventor of 'sound on sound' using a version for live use. Could also be mentioned he over came adversity (y'all prob know this). It was either set his right arm to play or maybe lose it altogether after crushing it when his car slid off a bridge and crashed. Took a long recovery but he made it. I recall a great photo from the early '50s of Les and Django, night club days. Pure class.
So many people don't realize that Les Paul's right arm was fixed at that angle. He got in a horrible accident that ruined the elbow on that arm. Rather than amputate, he asked that the arm be fixed at that angle so that he could continue to play. Look on here and you'll see that he never straightens it. Amazing that he still sounds so fresh; I loved that album, "Chester and Lester" that he did with Chet Atkins; it got a lot of air play here in Houston when it came out.
Outstanding Fil i loved Les Paul and starting in 1995 i started to go see him twice a year at Fat Tuesdays then The Iridium till about 6 months before he passed. He had a beautiful lilting unadorned tone without the gadgets and would sit at a table until he signed an autograph or let someone get a picture with him no matter how long it took. He influenced my playing more than anyone later in my life and i was fortunant to be there the night they filmed the PBS American Masters on him and due to the red polo shirt i was wearing i shoed up in it a couple of times thanks for posting this and if anyone is interested his friend Chris Lentz has a youtube channel with tons of Les with his trio and assorted guest.
he invented the simplest electric guitar you can make. Yes it was absolutely brilliant. But it's literally a guitar cut out of a 1x12 as cheaply as possible. Les pauls brilliant moves were pickups, using a solid body, and eventually.. fretboards. And im certain he didnt get at the time how critical they would be when Gibson advanced electric guitar and then other companies.. notably Ibanez did so again
I wonder who Brian May listened to when he was a kid?... Les Paul developed so many machines and ideas that are now everyday foot pedals that we all take for granted. In addition to the legend of Les Paul, his wife, Mary Ford, was a technical guitar monster in her own right. Mary usually deferred to Les but every now and then, she'd throw a good one his way and Les would have to jump to keep up. Guitars aside, Mary was a great singer, period. She and Les often worked out the arrangements to include a choir of Mary Fords. Although the harmonies were completely different, I've always been reminded of Les and Mary when I've heard Queen's Prophet Song and a few of their other layer over layer tunes. Great ideas always get recognized and recycled, Les will be influencing future guitarists for as long as they're playing electric guitars. Great video and review!
@@Robbob9933 - I believe she would. Mary's guitar work was completely overshadowed by Les even though she'd have been a known great if she'd been "discovered" on her own. Regardless, the recordings made by Les Paul and Mary Ford are magical, period!
I posted the video of Les and Chet on your video of Chet and Jerry Reed. I met Les at a taping of a late night music show back in the 80s. Amazing man to talk to about the evolution of the electric guitar and recording techniques.
FIL, GREAT VIDEO OF ONE OF THE GREATS, WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD MY MOTHER HAD LES PAUL ALBUMS I WOULD SIT AND LISTEN TO WITH HER, I TOLD HER THAT I WANTED A GUITAR LIKE LES HAS, OF COURSE THEY WERE TOO MUCH MONEY, SHE FOUND A USED 1960 LES PAUL JUNIOR FOR $ 75 DOLLARS AND GAVE IT TO ME, NICE SINGLE CUT SUNBURST, ONE P-90, THAT THING PLAYED LIKE A MILLION BUCKS, I WAS A HAPPY KID, CHEERS, COUSIN FIGEL
This was an absolute Joy, I personally learned a lot! I always knew of him but had no idea of his inventions, and you are right on the money that the younger the people are they just think of the guitar.
Chucks Stuff Ahhh touché my friend!! He was brought in as a consultant by Gibson, so he had some input... but he did not design it, you are correct there👍🏼
A great picker is a great picker. We are very fortunate to have video of the amazing ones. I'm thanking Fil for letting me enjoy his reactions and critiques.
I’m surprised the mic stand attached to the guitar never caught on. For players who sing but don’t jump around.... it’s not a bad idea. Love from Massachusetts. Dude if you’re ever here on a Friday night, you have to come by our spot for an open jam!!🇺🇸
Les Paul helped his friend, and kindred musical guru spirit- Organist Ken Griffin ( December 28, 1909 - March 11, 1956) with the extraordinary 'tone & timbre shaping' heard on Ken's Hammond [and later Wurlitzer] organ records. It's difficult to tell which organ is on which album ( Hammond or Wurlitzer...and he overdubbed sometimes with an all-vacuum tube Conn), but to give you an idea of the Wurlitzer 4600 electrostatic continuous free-reed Ken played listen to - [all on TH-cam] Ken Griffin's 67 Melody Lane - Johnny Costa & Joe Negri - After You've Gone + Little Brown Jug. [Trivia- Joe Negri played "The Handiman" and Jonny Costa played 'The Mailman' MR. Rogers Neighborhood Not sure if the show was syndicated in the UK, but FRED ROGERS was a great jazz pianist and knew many top jazz players. Costa also did the music for the show! WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR stream at>>> Watch2Free. won't you be my neighbor? >> Ken Griffin at the Organ - Wurlitzer electrostatic reed organ > The Instruments Ken Griffin Played > NSHOS WURLI 4600 ] Ken played the HAMMOND TONE WHEEL ORGAN (aka Hammond B3, but note Ken died right before the B3's introduction, so ALL KEY PERCUSSIVE EFFECTS ON KEN GRIFFIN RECORDS WERE CREATED USING SLAPBACK ECHO, OVERDUBS...and whatever else STUDIO MAGIC the two technical aces could come up with [ key percussive ATTACK was what made the B3,C3,RT3,M3...basically all post 1955 Hammonds, sound so dynamic]. Ken played the Hammond B2 primarily, but in 1953 WURLITZER introduced the ONLY OTHER ORGAN EVER MADE THAT USED ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TONE GENERATION BESIDES HAMMOND. OF COURSE, and this is why it should matter to you, THE HAMMOND ORGAN IS THE DIRECT SIBLING OF THE ELECTRIC GUITAR! Witness: HAMMOND TONE WHEEL ORGAN = spinning metal edged serrated discs (not unlike a vibrating string) near wire wound magnetic pick-ups (exactly like a guitar pick-up , but single pick-up w/ single tone wheel X 91) found in all HAMMOND TW ORGANS 1935-1975... {demo see video > at 40:00 > 'Legendary Theater Organists' } WURLITZER USED ELECTROSTATIC CONTINUOUS FREE-REEDS [NOTE: THE REEDS ARE NOT USED ACOUSTICALLY, BUT PURELY FOR THEIR HARMONIC CONTENT TO BE FILTERED ELECTRONICALLY. All reeds are hermetically sealed, then put into motion continuously by air vacuum. This allowed the INSTANT ATTACK OF ANY AND EVERY KEY. The 'instant attack' was what gave the Hammond organ a characteristic never before heard from any reed or pipe organ. From 1946'-1952' Wurlitzer made their electrostatic reed organs NOT CONTINUOUS, but instead each reed was stationary until it's KEYBOARD DEPRESSED KEY-contact opened a solenoid valve to let air in. THESE WERE CALLED 'KEYED FREE-REED ELECTROSTATIC ORGANS. They were great for pipe organ type play, but Hammond was blowing them out of the water in sales. Hence the need for the CONTINUOUS FREE REED.'instant attack' model. - So WHAT IS 'ELECTROSTATIC'. A high voltage, low amp, charge is placed on the vibrating reeds. The reed behaves EXACTLY LIKE A CONDENSER MICROPHONE. EXCEPT THE HARMONIC CONTENT OF THE REED PRODUCES A HARMONIC FREQUENCY (ie. 440 A reed) CORRESPONDENT to the capacitive discharge of the reed in front of it's pick-up ( pick-up is just a screw head with a wire attached) creating a positive electrostatic potential to ground. VERY INTERESTING >For more google> NSHOS WURLI 4600 " " NSHOS HAMMOND B3 " " ERIC LARSON ARTICLE- Ken Griffins Sound Effects " " The Instruments Ken Griffin Played [an article by Eric Larson] " " HAMMOND REVERB {HISTORY) " " ***MY* *OWN* *PLAYING* the Wurlitzer SPINET 4410. Identical to the 4600 full console described exclusively above and Ken Griffin's model. Ken played ONLY THE 4600 both the TV SHOW, 67 MELODY LANE , as well as the album entitle by same name On TH-cam. Here is my playing (other faster tempo in TH-cam generated playlist of same name >> Wurlitzer Electrostatic Reed Organ 56' 4410 & Hammond HR40 , Spectratone + Leslie 31H 's Horn V-21 I have comments on most Ken Griffin Album uploads stating whether it is Wurlitzer or Hammond being used
Les' invention of multi tracking was aided when his friend Bing Crosby gave him one of the first Ampex reel to reel tape recorders and told him to go and build his own studio.
my dad had a les paul from late 50's early 60's. it sounded awesome. i remember thinking the wammy bar was really cool. the few guys left that he played with said he went to each of them and asked to show him the thing they did. he took the best parts of each and was legend. they all said "the %#%$@ played better than all of us". unfortunately the guitar perished in a house fire in 1982. It's the only thing anyone asked about when they heard our house burned.
Les was quite the showman too. If you watch any of the videos of him playing, whether solo, with Mary, or with any of the other legends he played with, he is having FUN!
very funny. I had to ask a guy older than me about this model around '72. I was 15. Took a short time to tie this to a guy. I grew up with everything from the '40s out and Les was never there. Guess my Dad just didn't like him (though he just said there wasn't the money then).
My mother is a Waukesha native and she had the "jealous' privilege of seeing Les and Mary at a club there. He was a genius and brought a load of ideas in the recording studio that are still used today of course. EVH wanted one of those "Black Boxes" for himself and yeah he should be credited for inventing the delay loop. The only other guy I know that did what Les did is Jimmy Page because he broke new ground in the recording studio with Led Zeppelin as well imho. There should be chapters devoted to both Jimmy and Les.
Absoloute legend millions of guitars with his name on don't lie,started with dark eyes,one of the first tunes taught to me by my Dad,brought back fond happy memories
I’d planned to take a road trip from LA to NY to go see him when he was doing his regular gig at the Iridium Club, but plans change, and that never happened. Still kicking myself for that!
Les & Mary recorded their first albums in their home. She loved singing in the kitchen and always had a mic in there, & Les loved the hallways w/amps mic'd, & the Living room for archtop playing. Pioneers in recording and guitar virtuosity. This clip is bananas btw, wow ! Good pick Fil, cheers.
As far as Les' video clip, I just changed the playback speed to .75 and it helps a little. As far as his technique on the electric, I mean, what can you say about him? One of the few people who've had classic & valuable guitars named after him. His records going all the way back in the 40s and later with Mary Ford, then later on teaming up with the classic rockers-- well.... they're just phenomenal.
EPIC!! Obviously near the end Les plays a bit from How High The Moon and the final song began as Lover, both jazz standards as for all things he is known, he absolutely was a jazz artist.
Found your website and this quotation reminded me of something that I read in Forbes magazine (or somewhere?): "I have amazing fans that contact me regularly on Facebook and Twitter. The following I have is as good, if not better, than some similar 'signed' bands. So maybe being 'signed' isn't all it's cracked up to be? Who knows, all I know is I love chatting to people who like my music and I'll always keep pushing forward and replying to anyone who is interested in it!" What I had read was about a band that was making pretty big money without signing with a publishing company. They booked their own gigs, sold their CD's, and maybe even sold their own event tickets. No middlemen or agents to rake off the cream. Of course such an enterprise needs to be business savvy which is a lot better than being careless or stupid about money.
Before anybody...Before the ''ZOOM''..This guy inspired thousands of guitarists..The first solid body,multi tracking, his technique...The only thing I would wish here is that I was that drummer...Because I could keep up with him...What a lucky guy he was to sit there alone with Les.
Thanks for the video! This is the first time I really got to see and appreciate Les Paul's true guitar virtuoso. He is way better than I thought he was. I bet he could hold his own to the known shredders of today.
I am going to date myself here.... I remember seeing Less and Mary Ford perform on early TV..... I think it might have been on the Arthur Godfrey' show. in the US. They obviously played along with a pre recorded track . Overdubbing was so new that Les had to explain the very basics about how it was done . BTW, Didn't Queen's Bran May use the same repeating looping that Les pioneered? I was even more apparent when Queen played live, I saw rhem live 3 times. The first time was when they were the warm up act for Mott The Hoople. .
Thanks for the video Fil! I know the name, of course, but never really checked out his playing. The guy was really good and smart too...ahead of his time!👍😎🎸🎶
I'd like to suggest you react to a live TV video of Les Paul and Mary Ford called "Absolutely Live" that showcases their verbal humor and chemistry as a couple as well as, especially, what a fine guitarist Mary is, keeping up with Les's fast guitar antics. I'd love to hear what you think of their two LPs. Mary's LP has a different bridge pickup and their tone is different from each other. Thanks for what you do, Fil.
Beyond his amazing virtuosity, anyone who has done multitrack recording or used an echoplex, delay or looper effect owes Les Paul a great debt of gratitude! Such an entrepreneur spirit! ✌🏻🙂
Fil, Wow. Um, um, what can I say? Les Paul. That’s probably almost enough said. Amazing pioneer. Thank you Les for blazing a path for the rest to follow and keep pushing the limits. As some mentioned in these comments his accident and then against all odds he didn’t let a small thing like a few broken bones get in his way. What an inspiration.
The story goes that when Les Paul was inventing his version of the electric guitar (light years of anything out on the market at the time) he did everything he could to eliminate any distortion from the instrument. Les wanted a "pure sound." He was obsessive about it. Then Rock n Roll came in and changed things forever. Of course Les still cashed the checks. :)
I played a Sunburst version of this guitar at Songbirds Guitar museum in Chattanooga TN that once belonged to him. It's a crazy crazy invention. The guitar seemed like a lot smaller than current Les Pauls.
Les was amazing! Although im surprised you havent reacted to that famous video of him and mary playing alabamy bound on youtube where he's sweep picking a storm. Hope you do! Great video.
Man! He's all over the frets and beating up that arm! Not to mention how he showed how to get all kinds of sounds out of the 🎸 guitar 👉😎🆒Just Wow! Thanks for this one Fil! 🙋 I learned a lot!
If you want to learn more about Les Paul, personal history, inventions, his collaborations with Mary Ford, etc., there is a great documentary about him called "Chasing Sound". It is still available on TH-cam.
WOW, I have heard of Les Paul my whole life, but never heard him play. That was incredible, ESPECIALLY for the era this was made! We always heard Clapton, Hendrix, Page, ect... None of them could play with this speed and technical ability. No wonder that maybe the best electric guitar ever is named after him!
Les Paul "Discovered" Hendrix in a small club in 1964 jamming with a house band and was amazed by Jimi's playing. Jimi years later sought out Les for some recording advice on how to mic a Amp for a certain effect. Les was very appreciative of Hendrix's abilities as a guitar innovator.
For some early overdrive or distorted guitar check out Junior Barnard of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys from the late 1940s. Listen to Junior's Blues. Thanks for your great vids.
Rock N Roll wouldn't be the same without Les Paul. Neither would recording. He was a multi-tracking pioneer. Had the pleasure of seeing his trio once, at Fat Tuesday's in NYC. He was in his 70's at the time. Just ripping it.
You're right. The School Of Fish guy (later John Hiatt) liked them but otherwise the Bass version used by Jack Cassady was what became known. Kind of an ES335 with a LP cutaway, gold with low impedence pickups. I think Louis Shelton used a LP Recording for "Lowdown". btw, if joking, you got me ;)
Led was not only brilliant he was dedicated to his love of the guitar..in 1948 he was in a car accident shattering his right elbow.faced with doctor's setting the arm in a position that wouldn't again be movable paul ever mindful of his career asked that it be set at a slight angle so that he could still play guitar as they say the rest is history.. nice job once again fil
saw Les Paul with Jeff Beck , that was good, and both seemed to be having fun that night. At least that is how it seemed to me sitting at the sound board
Les Paul was the greatest innovator of electronics in music...period! He invented multi-track recording, voice on voice recording and a host of other electronics that changed the way music was performed and recorded in the studio forever. If you want a good look into this man's genius, here is his story in this brilliant documentary, "Les Paul, Chasing Sound". th-cam.com/video/hiLBAv5AMUg/w-d-xo.html
If that’s sped up (?) it ain’t that much. Les was incredible. ✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶 He was more important than most people know now days. More important than having a guitar named after him.
I knew Les was a pioneer and legend but just hadn't gotten around to listening to much of his stuff--this vid is amazing--thanks for that. The invention put me in mind of Frippertronics--maybe you can do a vid to compare the two one of these days.
Les was 50 years ahead with his inventions and his playing which is now called shredding .
Another great video. Don't forget his wife Mary Ford. She was a great picker too.
I was going to mention her also.
Me too, beat us to it ;)
Thanks! Yeah she was!
who gives a shit about his wife
@ Jeff Buckley Mary Ford was a great guitarist as well as a singer. You need to do a little research before showing how little you know about a subject. This is the equivalent of talking about Lindsey Buckingham and saying who cares about Stevie Nicks.
He was an amazing guy and many of the young lads playing guitar appreciated his phenomenal ability.
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Best recording of How High the Moon was with Mary Paul. Her voice, the echo effect and the playing made it outstanding.
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Mary Ford.
Wow he was shredding before shredding was shredding.
#Gears 73 Adult Racing Team 73 he was a virtuoso and a innovator making the Les Paul “
Fil, I was fortunate enough to see, and hear, Les at Fat Tuesdays in Manhattan several years ago. It was a small place and I was up front. I was just amazed how he would just look at you and smile while running those frets. When the show was over he sat at the bar having a drink and I was able to speak to him and get an autograph. Of course I grew up with my mom playing Les & Mary a lot so I knew of him early. Thanks for the great clip. There is a great video called Les Paul, He Changed The Music for those interested
Yes, another great iconic player. The original shredder himself! I was honored to catch him live at the Iridium club in NYC when he was a ripe young age of 91, and still getting up there once a week to entertain us. He could still play circles around me even at that age. It was a real treat to watch and a great memory.
Cool!
Mary Ford, wife of Les Paul, is buried at Forest Lawn Covina Hills, Covina. She is interred just north toward the mountains, a few steps from the Chapel there, easy to find, if you want to. God rest her soul.
He also developed many recording techniques. The way he overdubbed and layered Mary Ford's vocals was truly innovative for it's time (How High the Moon) She was a great picker as well.
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Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 - August 12, 2009). Thanks for the history lesson. Great insights.
No problem!
Les invented multi-track recording, echo, delay, reverb, all these things that the music industry depended on later. And because of that, some people have called him the Thomas Edison of music.
You can make the argument that Hip Hop couldn’t exist without him for all of the reasons you mentioned.
That is insane! The sound from just a basic drum kit and guitar in the hands of masters is WOW!
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Another great video. he was the true pioneer. May I request a little Brian Setzer?
He's on my list!
Les was peerless. You just need to see the series of videos showing other brilliant guitarists performing with him. It didn't matter who it was, they all had huge cheesy grins as they jammed with Les. I loved the way Geoff Beck described how hard it was to perfect the Les Paul arrangements he played at the Ronnie Scott's gig. I have a heap of Les's tracks on my in car mp3 system - hours of joy helping pass a boring drive.
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Fil, as I make my way through your videos I find one gem after another. I am old enough to have been around while Les and Mary were performing (although you never got a chance to see them live on television). I read about Les in magazines and heard his playing on 33’s...I never found a Les Paul and Mary Ford 45). But, back then we had no idea what a pioneer he was. In fact, I wasn’t really into him. Of course, now he is a legend, and your selection of the video where he was showing his latest invention adds to why Les just might be the most influential man of all time in the evolution of rock, and metal, which are guitar genres. The greater the guitarist the greater the band, so to speak...the Beatles being an exception. (The greatest rock band of all time did not have the greatest guitarists of all time...sort of kills my point, I guess. Sorry.)
“Rock!”
We had 78 rpm records of Les and Mary in our home. I was born in '51
The Thomas Edison of electric guitar!!! Lester Polsfuss is a massive legend of music and guitar, along with inventing multi-track recording, looping. etc. You can really hear the Django influence in his playing on this clip. The one fast double stop lick he does at certain points is something I stole from Danny Gatton, not knowing that Danny stole it from Les Paul. What an amazing guitarist!
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Thomas Edison? Thomas Edison was more like a thief a scammer and a fraud! He stole most of "his" inventions from his employees, colleagues and most notably the REAL genius Nikola Tesla! And this is all very well known.
Fil, I used to time my business trips to NYC so I could hit the Iridium Club where Les played every Monday night. He was in his late 80’s early 90’s (?) and was as brilliant a quipster and raconteur as he was a guitar maestro. And whomever was in town, he’d invite them on stage t play. I got to see Keith Richards play a set, and he had to borrow a guitar. Wow! Brilliant all around!
Wow...! I was waiting for the smoke to come off his fingers!!! Bloody awesome!!! One man band!!! Musical legend in many ways!!!! Great vid as always Fil!!!!!
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The work Les and Mary did with their sound on sound recordings was legendary. It is tough to fathom the amount of effort it took to create a 15 track sound on sound recording.
He did a great album with Chet Atkins called "Chester and Lester"
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I can’t believe that three people gave this a thumbs down! They’re probably upset because they didn’t see any faces literally melt. Fil, excellent choice, excellent commentary, I couldn’t agree with you more.
Thanks Carl!
I listened to him at least 40+ years ago. There are many great guitarists out there, but Les Paul is the master. his wife Mary For used play guitar with him. I'm glad that so many people appreciate him. Thanks Fil.
No problem!
I love how so many guitarists of the present & the past have claimed him as the inspiration that molded them. Flawless! Thanks for the perspective!
No problem!
I knew Les well in the last 25 years of his life and heard him play hundreds of times at Fat Tuesdays and Iridium. He never stopped his obsession with getting the optimal sound. He also kept playing and working on his technique, despite significant physical limitations, which included not only the injury to his right arm but severe arthritis in his hands. He would be the last to say that playing guitar is easy. And BTW, the guitarist I heard him speak of with the most awe and respect was Thumbs Carlille.
Cool!
Ha, The Paulverizer!! The inventor of 'sound on sound' using a version for live use. Could also be mentioned he over came adversity (y'all prob know this). It was either set his right arm to play or maybe lose it altogether after crushing it when his car slid off a bridge and crashed. Took a long recovery but he made it.
I recall a great photo from the early '50s of Les and Django, night club days. Pure class.
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So many people don't realize that Les Paul's right arm was fixed at that angle. He got in a horrible accident that ruined the elbow on that arm. Rather than amputate, he asked that the arm be fixed at that angle so that he could continue to play. Look on here and you'll see that he never straightens it. Amazing that he still sounds so fresh; I loved that album, "Chester and Lester" that he did with Chet Atkins; it got a lot of air play here in Houston when it came out.
I have no idea how he can keep those last runs in time with a loop. ? He was something else. He was doing this stuff in the 50s. cool vid.
Outstanding Fil i loved Les Paul and starting in 1995 i started to go see him twice a year at Fat Tuesdays then The Iridium till about 6 months before he passed. He had a beautiful lilting unadorned tone without the gadgets and would sit at a table until he signed an autograph or let someone get a picture with him no matter how long it took. He influenced my playing more than anyone later in my life and i was fortunant to be there the night they filmed the PBS American Masters on him and due to the red polo shirt i was wearing i shoed up in it a couple of times thanks for posting this and if anyone is interested his friend Chris Lentz has a youtube channel with tons of Les with his trio and assorted guest.
Cool!
The legend behind the guitar! Watched this video last night on patreon & watching it again now. Great review!
Thanks Tara!
Amazing that the guy who invented so much of what we consider the electric guitar was also such a great player.
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he invented the simplest electric guitar you can make. Yes it was absolutely brilliant. But it's literally a guitar cut out of a 1x12 as cheaply as possible. Les pauls brilliant moves were pickups, using a solid body, and eventually.. fretboards. And im certain he didnt get at the time how critical they would be when Gibson advanced electric guitar and then other companies.. notably Ibanez did so again
Jaw-dropping stuff every time Les played.
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I wonder who Brian May listened to when he was a kid?... Les Paul developed so many machines and ideas that are now everyday foot pedals that we all take for granted.
In addition to the legend of Les Paul, his wife, Mary Ford, was a technical guitar monster in her own right. Mary usually deferred to Les but every now and then, she'd throw a good one his way and Les would have to jump to keep up. Guitars aside, Mary was a great singer, period. She and Les often worked out the arrangements to include a choir of Mary Fords. Although the harmonies were completely different, I've always been reminded of Les and Mary when I've heard Queen's Prophet Song and a few of their other layer over layer tunes. Great ideas always get recognized and recycled, Les will be influencing future guitarists for as long as they're playing electric guitars.
Great video and review!
Thanks!
Mary Ford would own the vast majority of guitar players today.
@@Robbob9933 - I believe she would. Mary's guitar work was completely overshadowed by Les even though she'd have been a known great if she'd been "discovered" on her own. Regardless, the recordings made by Les Paul and Mary Ford are magical, period!
This guy influenced so many players. It's sick. The man. No doubt. Thanks Fil.
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I posted the video of Les and Chet on your video of Chet and Jerry Reed. I met Les at a taping of a late night music show back in the 80s. Amazing man to talk to about the evolution of the electric guitar and recording techniques.
Cool!
FIL, GREAT VIDEO OF ONE OF THE GREATS, WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD MY MOTHER HAD LES PAUL ALBUMS I WOULD SIT AND LISTEN TO WITH HER, I TOLD HER THAT I WANTED A GUITAR LIKE LES HAS, OF COURSE THEY WERE TOO MUCH MONEY, SHE FOUND A USED 1960 LES PAUL JUNIOR FOR $ 75 DOLLARS AND GAVE IT TO ME, NICE SINGLE CUT SUNBURST, ONE P-90, THAT THING PLAYED LIKE A MILLION BUCKS, I WAS A HAPPY KID, CHEERS, COUSIN FIGEL
This was an absolute Joy, I personally learned a lot! I always knew of him but had no idea of his inventions, and you are right on the money that the younger the people are they just think of the guitar.
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An insane genius!!!! We thank Les for his 94 years of innovation and inspiration 🙏🏻 and of course the Les Paul guitar.......🤟🏻
WRONG ABLUT HIM DESIGNING THE GUITAR
Chucks Stuff Ahhh touché my friend!! He was brought in as a consultant by Gibson, so he had some input... but he did not design it, you are correct there👍🏼
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A great picker is a great picker. We are very fortunate to have video of the amazing ones. I'm thanking Fil for letting me enjoy his reactions and critiques.
No problem!
I’m surprised the mic stand attached to the guitar never caught on. For players who sing but don’t jump around.... it’s not a bad idea. Love from Massachusetts. Dude if you’re ever here on a Friday night, you have to come by our spot for an open jam!!🇺🇸
Les Paul helped his friend, and kindred musical guru spirit- Organist Ken Griffin ( December 28, 1909 - March 11, 1956) with the extraordinary 'tone & timbre shaping' heard on Ken's Hammond [and later Wurlitzer] organ records. It's difficult to tell which organ is on which album ( Hammond or Wurlitzer...and he overdubbed sometimes with an all-vacuum tube Conn), but to give you an idea of the Wurlitzer 4600 electrostatic continuous free-reed Ken played listen to - [all on TH-cam]
Ken Griffin's 67 Melody Lane - Johnny Costa & Joe Negri - After You've Gone + Little Brown Jug.
[Trivia- Joe Negri played "The Handiman" and Jonny Costa played 'The Mailman' MR. Rogers Neighborhood Not sure if the show was syndicated in the UK, but FRED ROGERS was a great jazz pianist and knew many top jazz players. Costa also did the music for the show!
WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR stream at>>> Watch2Free. won't you be my neighbor? >> Ken Griffin at the Organ - Wurlitzer electrostatic reed organ > The Instruments Ken Griffin Played > NSHOS WURLI 4600 ]
Ken played the HAMMOND TONE WHEEL ORGAN (aka Hammond B3, but note Ken died right before the B3's introduction, so ALL KEY PERCUSSIVE EFFECTS ON KEN GRIFFIN RECORDS WERE CREATED USING SLAPBACK ECHO, OVERDUBS...and whatever else STUDIO MAGIC the two technical aces could come up with [ key percussive ATTACK was what made the B3,C3,RT3,M3...basically all post 1955 Hammonds, sound so dynamic]. Ken played the Hammond B2 primarily, but in 1953 WURLITZER introduced the ONLY OTHER ORGAN EVER MADE THAT USED ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TONE GENERATION BESIDES HAMMOND. OF COURSE, and this is why it should matter to you, THE HAMMOND ORGAN IS THE DIRECT SIBLING OF THE ELECTRIC GUITAR! Witness:
HAMMOND TONE WHEEL ORGAN = spinning metal edged serrated discs (not unlike a vibrating string) near wire wound magnetic pick-ups (exactly like a guitar pick-up , but single pick-up w/ single tone wheel X 91) found in all HAMMOND TW ORGANS 1935-1975... {demo see video > at 40:00 > 'Legendary Theater Organists' }
WURLITZER USED ELECTROSTATIC CONTINUOUS FREE-REEDS [NOTE: THE REEDS ARE NOT USED ACOUSTICALLY, BUT PURELY FOR THEIR HARMONIC CONTENT TO BE FILTERED ELECTRONICALLY.
All reeds are hermetically sealed, then put into motion continuously by air vacuum. This allowed the INSTANT ATTACK OF ANY AND EVERY KEY. The 'instant attack' was what gave the Hammond organ a characteristic never before heard from any reed or pipe organ.
From 1946'-1952' Wurlitzer made their electrostatic reed organs NOT CONTINUOUS, but instead each reed was stationary until it's KEYBOARD DEPRESSED KEY-contact opened a solenoid valve to let air in. THESE WERE CALLED 'KEYED FREE-REED ELECTROSTATIC ORGANS. They were great for pipe organ type play, but Hammond was blowing them out of the water in sales. Hence the need for the CONTINUOUS FREE REED.'instant attack' model.
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So WHAT IS 'ELECTROSTATIC'. A high voltage, low amp, charge is placed on the vibrating reeds. The reed behaves EXACTLY LIKE A CONDENSER MICROPHONE. EXCEPT THE HARMONIC CONTENT OF THE REED PRODUCES A HARMONIC FREQUENCY (ie. 440 A reed) CORRESPONDENT to the capacitive discharge of the reed in front of it's pick-up ( pick-up is just a screw head with a wire attached) creating a positive electrostatic potential to ground.
VERY INTERESTING >For more google> NSHOS WURLI 4600
" " NSHOS HAMMOND B3
" " ERIC LARSON ARTICLE- Ken Griffins Sound Effects
" " The Instruments Ken Griffin Played [an article by Eric Larson]
" " HAMMOND REVERB {HISTORY) " "
***MY* *OWN* *PLAYING* the Wurlitzer SPINET 4410. Identical to the 4600 full console described exclusively above and Ken Griffin's model. Ken played ONLY THE 4600 both the TV SHOW, 67 MELODY LANE , as well as the album entitle by same name On TH-cam.
Here is my playing (other faster tempo in TH-cam generated playlist of same name >>
Wurlitzer Electrostatic Reed Organ 56' 4410 & Hammond HR40 , Spectratone + Leslie 31H 's Horn V-21
I have comments on most Ken Griffin Album uploads stating whether it is Wurlitzer or Hammond being used
Thanks!
Fil your channel is one of the very first I check when I get on here now. You always deliver.
Thanks!
Les' invention of multi tracking was aided when his friend Bing Crosby gave him one of the first Ampex reel to reel tape recorders and told him to go and build his own studio.
my dad had a les paul from late 50's early 60's. it sounded awesome. i remember thinking the wammy bar was really cool. the few guys left that he played with said he went to each of them and asked to show him the thing they did. he took the best parts of each and was legend. they all said "the %#%$@ played better than all of us". unfortunately the guitar perished in a house fire in 1982. It's the only thing anyone asked about when they heard our house burned.
Dam!
Les was quite the showman too. If you watch any of the videos of him playing, whether solo, with Mary, or with any of the other legends he played with, he is having FUN!
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I think he was named after a famous guitar.
very funny. I had to ask a guy older than me about this model around '72. I was 15. Took a short time to tie this to a guy. I grew up with everything from the
'40s out and Les was never there. Guess my Dad just didn't like him (though he just said there wasn't the money then).
Nope 😁 the guitar was named after him. The Gibson Les Paul
Yeah I heard that he was nameless until the guitars release. He was just waiting for the right one! 😂
He came this close to being tagged Hohner Marine Band.
Seen the Coors commercial?
My mother is a Waukesha native and she had the "jealous' privilege of seeing Les and Mary at a club there. He was a genius and brought a load of ideas in the recording studio that are still used today of course. EVH wanted one of those "Black Boxes" for himself and yeah he should be credited for inventing the delay loop. The only other guy I know that did what Les did is Jimmy Page because he broke new ground in the recording studio with Led Zeppelin as well imho. There should be chapters devoted to both Jimmy and Les.
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Absoloute legend millions of guitars with his name on don't lie,started with dark eyes,one of the first tunes taught to me by my Dad,brought back fond happy memories
I’d planned to take a road trip from LA to NY to go see him when he was doing his regular gig at the Iridium Club, but plans change, and that never happened. Still kicking myself for that!
Another great player years ahead of his time great video phil
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Go into the custom speed settings and set it to 80 percent if you want to see what Les' playing sounds like normally.
Amazing seeing Les in his prime. Incredible
Wow... didn't realise how good he was. Hats off to Les!
Les & Mary recorded their first albums in their home. She loved singing in the kitchen and always had a mic in there, & Les loved the hallways w/amps mic'd, & the Living room for archtop playing. Pioneers in recording and guitar virtuosity. This clip is bananas btw, wow ! Good pick Fil, cheers.
Amen!
As far as Les' video clip, I just changed the playback speed to .75 and it helps a little.
As far as his technique on the electric, I mean, what can you say about him? One of the few people who've had classic & valuable guitars named after him.
His records going all the way back in the 40s and later with Mary Ford, then later on teaming up with the classic rockers-- well.... they're just phenomenal.
what an absolute joy to watch. Ole Les was a master of the guitar.
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EPIC!! Obviously near the end Les plays a bit from How High The Moon and the final song began as Lover, both jazz standards as for all things he is known, he absolutely was a jazz artist.
Found your website and this quotation reminded me of something that I read in Forbes magazine (or somewhere?): "I have amazing fans that contact me regularly on Facebook and Twitter. The following I have is as good, if not better, than some similar 'signed' bands. So maybe being 'signed' isn't all it's cracked up to be? Who knows, all I know is I love chatting to people who like my music and I'll always keep pushing forward and replying to anyone who is interested in it!"
What I had read was about a band that was making pretty big money without signing with a publishing company. They booked their own gigs, sold their CD's, and maybe even sold their own event tickets. No middlemen or agents to rake off the cream. Of course such an enterprise needs to be business savvy which is a lot better than being careless or stupid about money.
Yeah it's a lot of work but I like to keep everything under my own control! 🤘
Before anybody...Before the ''ZOOM''..This guy inspired thousands of guitarists..The first solid body,multi tracking, his technique...The only thing I would wish here is that I was that drummer...Because I could keep up with him...What a lucky guy he was to sit there alone with Les.
Thanks for the video! This is the first time I really got to see and appreciate Les Paul's true guitar virtuoso. He is way better than I thought he was. I bet he could hold his own to the known shredders of today.
No problem!
I am going to date myself here....
I remember seeing Less and Mary Ford perform on early TV..... I think it might have been on the Arthur Godfrey' show. in the US. They obviously played along with a pre recorded track .
Overdubbing was so new that Les had to explain the very basics about how it was done .
BTW, Didn't Queen's Bran May use the same repeating looping that Les pioneered? I was even more apparent when Queen played live, I saw rhem live 3 times. The first time was when they were the warm up act for Mott The Hoople. .
This is so great! I was hoping you would do an analysis of Les. Thanks : )
No problem!
Thanks for the video Fil! I know the name, of course, but never really checked out his playing. The guy was really good and smart too...ahead of his time!👍😎🎸🎶
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I'd like to suggest you react to a live TV video of Les Paul and Mary Ford called "Absolutely Live" that showcases their verbal humor and chemistry as a couple as well as, especially, what a fine guitarist Mary is, keeping up with Les's fast guitar antics.
I'd love to hear what you think of their two LPs. Mary's LP has a different bridge pickup and their tone is different from each other. Thanks for what you do, Fil.
His use of the looper pedal is like the predecessor to modern players such as the incredible Andre Colin!
Beyond his amazing virtuosity, anyone who has done multitrack recording or used an echoplex, delay or looper effect owes Les Paul a great debt of gratitude! Such an entrepreneur spirit! ✌🏻🙂
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haha, he looks like he was having so much fun. Genius at work.
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Fil, Wow. Um, um, what can I say? Les Paul. That’s probably almost enough said. Amazing pioneer. Thank you Les for blazing a path for the rest to follow and keep pushing the limits. As some mentioned in these comments his accident and then against all odds he didn’t let a small thing like a few broken bones get in his way. What an inspiration.
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i would sooooooo love to own a Les Paul Recording model as he played here, and always. That is a boss Guitar!
Yessir that's what a guitar legend looks and sounds like!!!
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THAT IS ONE COOL CAT DADDY
His version of over the rainbow played sometime in the early 1990's in a pub in New York is amazing. He was a old man and still he played flawlessly.
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With Olivia Newton-John th-cam.com/video/XAhxHT8PnTk/w-d-xo.html
The story goes that when Les Paul was inventing his version of the electric guitar (light years of anything out on the market at the time) he did everything he could to eliminate any distortion from the instrument. Les wanted a "pure sound." He was obsessive about it. Then Rock n Roll came in and changed things forever. Of course Les still cashed the checks. :)
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I played a Sunburst version of this guitar at Songbirds Guitar museum in Chattanooga TN that once belonged to him. It's a crazy crazy invention. The guitar seemed like a lot smaller than current Les Pauls.
Cool!
Wow, that was an amazing clip!🎸🎸🎸i must visit ( old library) the Les Paul museum in Mahwah NJ
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The Omnibus clip with Mary Ford was great stuff
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Les was amazing! Although im surprised you havent reacted to that famous video of him and mary playing alabamy bound on youtube where he's sweep picking a storm. Hope you do! Great video.
WTF! I had no idea Les Paul could play like that! Never seen this footage. Good job again WOP.
No problem!
Man! He's all over the frets and beating up that arm! Not to mention how he showed how to get all kinds of sounds out of the 🎸 guitar 👉😎🆒Just Wow! Thanks for this one Fil! 🙋 I learned a lot!
Les Paul was far beyond his time and Chet Atkins was his biggest fan.
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Hendrix once showed off to him and Les said he had never seen anyone play the guitar like that but before he could sign him he had left for England.
"Chester and Lester"! A fantastic record that should be in your library! 👍✌️
Michael Hesler Hendrix used a "Flying V" at first, I just learned that 3years ago, had no ideal, he might of used that to play for Les.
Yes the tone does sound funny and it's a bit fast ...but his style is one of a kind..a true inventor
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Toy Caldwell late guitarist and writer for the Marshall Tucker Band, thunder thumb!!!
He is the original guitar slinger !! Sorry Johnny. One cool cat !! Thanks Fil. You always come up with the most amazing players. Cheers !\m/✌
Thanks Mark!
Wow that pedal takes the place of overdubbing in the studio 😎 cool
Fil ... cool video. I didn't realize Les invented the looper. Thanks.
No problem!
If you want to learn more about Les Paul, personal history, inventions, his collaborations with Mary Ford, etc., there is a great documentary about him called "Chasing Sound". It is still available on TH-cam.
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Dr. Fil, Les is the master. He invented everything that is a rock and roll recording. Pure genius!! Love this analysis as usual. ROCK!!!!!!!
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WOW, I have heard of Les Paul my whole life, but never heard him play. That was incredible, ESPECIALLY for the era this was made! We always heard Clapton, Hendrix, Page, ect... None of them could play with this speed and technical ability. No wonder that maybe the best electric guitar ever is named after him!
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Les Paul "Discovered" Hendrix in a small club in 1964 jamming with a house band and was amazed by Jimi's playing. Jimi years later sought out Les for some recording advice on how to mic a Amp for a certain effect. Les was very appreciative of Hendrix's abilities as a guitar innovator.
@@davidkey8172 Didn't know that, very interesting. Thanks!
For some early overdrive or distorted guitar check out Junior Barnard of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys from the late 1940s. Listen to Junior's Blues. Thanks for your great vids.
No problem!
Eldon Shamblin was fantastic!
Rock N Roll wouldn't be the same without Les Paul. Neither would recording. He was a multi-tracking pioneer.
Had the pleasure of seeing his trio once, at Fat Tuesday's in NYC. He was in his 70's at the time. Just ripping it.
Hey Fil amazing breakdown..Les Paul is a Legend! Keep it up!
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Great player. Too bad his signature guitars never caught on.
Aaahahaha
You're right. The School Of Fish guy (later John Hiatt) liked them but otherwise the Bass version used by Jack Cassady was what became known. Kind of an ES335 with a LP cutaway, gold with low impedence pickups. I think Louis Shelton used a LP Recording for "Lowdown".
btw, if joking, you got me ;)
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And Les with the bigsby tremolo Maybe was the inspiration for Neal Schon with the Floyd !
Led was not only brilliant he was dedicated to his love of the guitar..in 1948 he was in a car accident shattering his right elbow.faced with doctor's setting the arm in a position that wouldn't again be movable paul ever mindful of his career asked that it be set at a slight angle so that he could still play guitar as they say the rest is history.. nice job once again fil
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Loved his work great video
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saw Les Paul with Jeff Beck , that was good, and both seemed to be having fun that night. At least that is how it seemed to me sitting at the sound board
Cool!
Great Video , Loved it ♡♡
Thanks!
Les Paul was the greatest innovator of electronics in music...period! He invented multi-track recording, voice on voice recording and a host of other electronics that changed the way music was performed and recorded in the studio forever. If you want a good look into this man's genius, here is his story in this brilliant documentary, "Les Paul, Chasing Sound".
th-cam.com/video/hiLBAv5AMUg/w-d-xo.html
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Pretty amazing, the Father of Modern Recording techniques.
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If that’s sped up (?) it ain’t that much. Les was incredible.
✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
He was more important than most people know now days. More important than having a guitar named after him.
Les also invented the around-the-neck harmonica holder and was the first person to record with an 8-track recorder.
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I knew Les was a pioneer and legend but just hadn't gotten around to listening to much of his stuff--this vid is amazing--thanks for that. The invention put me in mind of Frippertronics--maybe you can do a vid to compare the two one of these days.
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